Fahmi says 'refer to MCMC' on MalaysiaNow video takedown request

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today said a question over MCMC’s request for the removal of a MalaysiaNow video over the Sabah mining licence scandal should be directed to the commission.

The portal’s report claimed that a video containing audio clips implicating Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor in a controversy linked to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak - had been blocked on Facebook after a legal request from the MCMC.

“Refer to the MCMC,” he told a press conference at his ministry today.

These recordings are tied to allegations that a Farhash-linked company, Bumi Suria Sdn Bhd, had been awarded a mining exploration licence in Sabah on 70,000ha in the Kalabakan and Gunung Rara forest reserves near the Kalimantan border.

This is an area almost three times the size of Kuala Lumpur.

On July 21, Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) and Farhash denied the claims, with the latter also issuing a cease and desist letter against MalaysiaNow for publishing the allegations.

Earlier today, SMM admitted to granting Bumi Suria conditional permission to apply for a prospecting licence, which was later cancelled after the company failed to submit the required documents.

It accused MalaysiaNow of biased coverage while announcing its plans to begin defamation proceedings against the portal, as well as others that have republished the allegations.

Sabah mineral prospecting licences are the subject of a massive corruption scandal, after multiple assemblypersons, including state ministers, were caught on video discussing alleged bribes with businessperson Albert Tei - who later blew the whistle on the alleged deals.

Zaid to Rafizi: Is Anwar as brave as he claims Azam is?

'Farhash-linked scandal': Probe alleged graft, not info leak, C4 says

Farhash's company never applied for prospecting licence: Sabah land agency

Albert's counsel shreds Kula's 'bank loan nonsense', schools him on law

Lawyer: Shield Albert, he'll name 'extremely high level' MACC officer